Opening Day Key Players

Chuck Daellenbach

One of the world’s most recognizable tuba players, Chuck Daellenbach is also President of Opening Day Entertainment Group. Originally coming on board in 2003, he has brought a fresh and unique perspective to the label as it meets the challenges of the music industry today. Chuck’s music experience is varied (performer, producer, arranger, teacher and recording artist) and his never-ending enthusiasm are well-known hallmarks. He has a PhD from the Eastman School of Music and has made well-over 100 recordings with the world famous Canadian Brass, the group he founded.

MB (Mary Beth) Daellenbach

A&R; Artist Relations. With a lifetime of experience in music, Mary Beth has earned her greatest recognition as a highly successful record producer. A chorister of note, she was a member of the acclaimed Elmer Iseler Singers and continues to teach piano and coach voice privately. A literal member of the Opening Day family, she is married to Chuck Daellenbach and has played a major role in continued success of the Canadian Brass – from photography, project management and artist communication. Teaming with Dixon Van Winkle, MB has worked with Opening Day artists Canadian Brass, Jeff Nelsen, Sean Kelly, Giles Tomkins, Trey Mills and others.

Mike Jipson

Sales & Marketing, is a music industry veteran of 31 years. After receiving a BME Choral Music degree from the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire, Mike began his career at print music publishing giant, Hal Leonard Corp, where he excelled for over six years. In 1991 Mike started his own music publishing company and two years later began working with Canadian Brass. His experience in music publishing and knowledge of the music industry has benefited him greatly in his twenty-two years working with Canadian Brass and more recently ODEG.

Matt Brooks

Hailing from Kingston Ontario, grandson of famous Canadian artist Ruth Brooks, Matt graduated from Sheridan College in 2000 with a bachelor of the arts in Illustration. Has since pursued a career in architectural design and visualization, graphic design, web design, and 3D conceptualization. In 2007 he started Baby Jack Design Studio, named after his 3rd born son. Matt has worked with the Canadian Brass and Opening Day since the early 2000's. Adopted into the ODEG family, Matt has taken on a significant role in being the primary source for the organizations art direction, visualization and design needs.

Dixon Van Winkle

From pop to classical and back again, engineer/producer Dixon Van Winkle’s acclaimed career spans over four decades where he has worked in just about every genre of music. Urged on by legendary producer Phil Ramone, Van Winkle got his start in the recording business in 1969 and has worked with the likes of Paul McCartney, Benny Goodman, Frank Sinatra, The New York Dolls, Paul Simon, Men Without Hats, Dizzy Gillespie, Paul Winter, the Soviet poet Yvgeny Yevtushenko and Canadian Brass to name but a few. Dixon is a native of Ogdensburg NY and is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music.

Janina Kano

Janina Kano, Project Associate, first joined Opening Day Entertainment Group in 2004. Ms. Kano's pursuits span project consulting and coordination, as well as events, design and marketing. Born and raised in Baltimore, Janina is a graduate of McGill University, and her work now spans between Calgary and Toronto.

Stuart Laughton

Stuart Laughton was a founding member of Canadian Brass before attending Philadelphia's Curtis Institute of Music. Upon graduation he was appointed solo trumpet at La Scala in Milan, Italy and has since then appeared with many orchestras, including the Toronto Symphony, as well as made numerous recordings. He rejoined Canadian Brass in 2004 for two seasons. In 1993 he founded Opening Day Recordings in order to showcase Canadian classical performers and composers. Since 2008 he has been artistic consultant to the label.